Getty Images
Tom Holland recently announced in a video interview with Extra that he will be taking a break from acting for the next year after the grueling production of his new Apple TV+ crime thriller The Crowded Room. In the series, Holland stars as Danny Sullivan, who is arrested in the summer of 1979 for his involvement in a Rockefeller Center shooting. The series is based on the true crimes of Billy Milligan, who has been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder.
“It’s definitely been a tough time,” Holland told Extra of the show’s production. “We explored certain emotions that I’ve definitely never experienced before. And on top of that, working as a producer dealing with the day-to-day issues that come with every film set has added even more pressure.”
Holland said he “enjoyed the learning curve that comes with being a producer,” but juggling two roles in one production while playing a character who was in a severe mental state got him over beyond its breaking point.
“I’m no stranger to hard work,” Holland said. “I live by the belief that hard work is good work. On the other hand, the show broke me. Eventually the time came when I needed a break, disappeared and went to Mexico for a week, spent time at the beach and retired. I’m taking a year off now and that’s because of how difficult this show was. I’m excited to see how it turns out. I feel like our hard work has not been in vain.”
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly last month, Holland revealed that working on The Crowded Room led to a “little breakdown” in his personal life.
“I saw myself in it [the character], but in my private life,” Holland said. “I remember having a nervous breakdown at home and thinking, ‘I’m going to shave my head.’ “I have to shave my head because I have to get rid of this character.” And of course we were in the middle of filming, so I decided not to do it… It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.”
Holland confirmed to EW that he’s been sober for a year and four months. He credited the Apple TV+ series for changing his views on his own mental health.
“It was very enlightening for my own life to learn about mental health and its power and to talk to psychiatrists about Danny and Billy’s struggles,” the actor said, noting that he is now able to “trigger.” to recognize” like social media “stresses me.”
Holland stars in The Crowded Room alongside Amanda Seyfried, Sasha Lane, Will Chase, Lior Raz, Laila Robins, Christopher Abbott and Henry Eikenberry. The series starts June 9th on Apple TV+.